NHRA bends the racers& fans over again

[Cobrabill]

http://www.nhra.com/content/news/20725.htm



Absolutely nothing good can come from this

[ROUSHAC]

Probably right about that, Bill.

Maybe everyone on Club Cobra could chip in and buy it, and then we wouldn't get such a hard time at the tech checks when we want run our cars on a NHRA track.

[Lowell W]

Could you guys please explain?

Thanks,

Lowell

[ROUSHAC]

I'll leave it up to Bill. He has a "way with words".

[DanElam]

I saw the announcement. Basically NHRA is selling the race stuff to a for-profit entity and the current shell will become a not-for-profit. I didn't quite see the sinister side of it. Let's them raise money and expand the sport. Worked fine for NASCAR.

But I don't confess to know the ins-and-outs or pay much attention to NHRA. Hopefully Bill will explain.

[Michael4yah]

Since when should the NHRA decide what is good for drag racers by looking at WHATS HAPPENED TO NASCAR? Wally Wally Wally..... The grass isnt always greener!! Its not too hard to see that those at the top just want a bigger payoff so all they do is find a carrot and dangle it in front of the Venues, Teams and car owners. The coverage on TV these last few years has been horendous. They find the most ridiculous and totally Phoney person they can and give him the microphone!!!! The only one I enjoyed listening to was Don Gartlits and Im sure that if you ask him off camera he'd tell you how upset he is with the way his sport has turned out. This was a TV deal from start to finish. I see every auto sport moving further and further away from the people who matter, THATS US!!! You and me. And when the average guy cant get on the starting grid cause he didnt have the 10 million to make it happen or a dad that cant afford to take his family to the races cause it'l cost him most of his paycheck THEN WE ALL LOSE!!!! Just like the NRA not being able to stop the traitors in DC and our state capitols from taking our guns in INCREMENTAL STEPS, The NHRA hasnt stopped the land grabbers from closing down our drag strips. Just last night there was a big story here in LA about how they are going to close down the LA County Drag strip. And just like the NRA the NHRA isnt doing anything about it, they arent rallying the troops , they arent laying out strategy for retaking what was ours all along. Hell no, all theyre doing is stopping along the way of their retreat just long enough to make a few speeches and pass out a few brochures or sign up a few new members and cash some more checks. DO NOT PUT YOU FAITH IN ORGANIZATIONS UNLESS THEY PROOVE THEIR LOYALTY TO THE TRUTH AND TO THE AVERAGE AMERICAN ON A DAILY BASIS. The bible said it best. "Bind your nobles with fetters of iron". Tanslation . Hold your leaders to the LAW and to the TRUTH by HANDCUFFING THEM TO IT. Someone please tell Wally Parks and all those over the years that have made a ton of money out of drag racing that ITS NOT ABOUT HOW MUCH MONEY YOU CAN MAKE IN A SEASON !!! Its all way too commercial. In my early years it was fun and affordable and EXCITING. Now its all about the money and who can buy the highest technology. Drivers sitting on their a$$es pushing buttons. Using computers to keep from breaking out!!! What the heck!! Having classes with et limitations isnt racing anyway. And fixing it It aint rocket science either. DYNO the cars then Weigh em. Split the field into classes then race heads up. Thats racing. And last but not least. Bring back the 4spd!!! Anyone can push buttons or shift without a clutch...
Well thats my 2 cents. Maybe 3.
MIchael

[wtm442]

The new CEO of the company that is buying out the Pro section of NHRA is the guy from Pinks!!!!!

[Danr55]

I wonder when we will see a drivers union like the NBA, NHL, or NFL? Owners against drivers in court? Minimum salaries and increased admissions. National drag racing leagues? Drag racing teams from cities like Detroit, Cleveland, Las Vegas, Palo Alto, Chicago.. etc, etc.

[Michael4yah]

Dan, with Dale Jr your already seeing it. Owners against drivers that is. Im of the opinion that he earned the right of succession. I think that most of the country feels the same way.
You know guys, what we should have done years ago was to force the govt to declare these drag strips historical sites. Why not do what the liberals are doing. Give em a taste of their own medicine. As far as the high moral ground is concerned.... we were there 1st!
I can see it now... Spotted Owl Speedway!!!!!!!!!

Michael

[Gatorac]

I don't understand how this cannot be a good thing. If anyone or group is going to invest the money for a racing series they are going to want to see it grow. The only way it will grow is with more fans. Sponsors come when the fan base is there.


Remember, the top fuel points leader does not even have a sponsor!!! Hot Rod is selling his personal assets just to keep racing. How many major sponsors have pulled out in the last 2 years? This series needs the money. They need the sponsors. For cryin' out loud, Evan Knoll can't sponsor everybody.

The current TV package sucks. They bump the race if womans bowling runs long.... This weekend is the first of the season to be on at a decent time. (Thank god for TIVO).

I say let's see where this can go. How about 4 cars going down the track each run? How about 40 cars trying to get 32 spots?

Perhaps they should just keep going down the road they are going and wait for Don Shumacher to own everything.

My $.02

[Michael4yah]

Jim, When financial intrests take over a sport it ceases being a sport. Decisions are made out of expediency and not based on principal. Im 56 and Ive seen lots of changes in my time. Not very many of them have turned out good. The NHRA has to stop focusing just on the National Meets and get back to grass roots. This is why they dont have a political power base. The people are disconnected and because of that they dont organize . It was the kid with a 57 chevy in his garage that built the NHRA, not the bankers or the mechandisers. Those are just the hangers on.

If the NHRA wants to become the powehouse it used to be it has to think local. Get involved in one day events and local nightime racing. When I was 16-19 I spent lots of thursday nights at Irwindale raceway. Spend a few bucks and race your car as much as you wanted. Without these local tracks all that is gone forever.

I read a story a couple of weeks ago about how to fix the INDY 500. It was good and if I can find it again I'll post it. The rules have to change so that money isnt the defining factor. Did you know that the average steering wheel in an INDY car is 40,000.00?

When I was in grade school there was a local manufacturing co. in my hometown of Tulsa Ok. called John Zink. I used to walk by the open doors of that factory on my way home from school. We'd stop and look inside as they were building their entry into the Indy 500. Sometimes they would invite us kids in to watch. It was neat, it was a small time local guy trying to win the Indy 500 and we were allowed to be a part of it. Not anymore.

Back in the late 60s and early 70s we had great local events. There was a promoter out here in LA who would sponsor a one night event, I dont remember his name but I remember the radio and TV commercials. Every 15 minutes or so on the radio youd hear the blast of a fuel funny car doing a burn out and then youd hear the announcer yell 64 funny cars!!! They would have about 20 TFers and the rest would be top alcohol and Blown gassers. The track was packed with spectators. Entry was 5 bucks. Not anymore.

. So Drag Racing has suffered on the local scene and with it the excitement and easy access for car builders and drivers and spectators.the Bigmoney concerns came in and cut off the supply of affordable insurance to the track owners, Developers were "Allowed" to build housing too close to existing tracks and all the while the lawyers kept suing for more and more. Now you get it? Its all about the money. And when we let money be our guide we will always lose.
The NHRA is an institution. When it starts selling off its assets look out, the other shoe is about to drop!!
Michael

[Michael4yah]

I forgot to mention. John Zink Cars won the Indy 500 in 1955 and 1956.